Adidas
Cross It 3.4
The Adidas Cross It 3.4 is a power diamond outside the Metalbone line, with Carbon Aluminized 15K, High Memory EVA and a high balance. Power 9 and smash 9 for attacking experts seeking direct overhead power.
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Explosive • Control focused • Forgiving
The Adidas Cross It 3.4 is Adidas' power diamond outside the Metalbone line. With Carbon Aluminized 15K, EVA High Memory and a high balance, it presents a stiffer, more aggressive alternative. No Weight & Balance System, but Spin Blade Mold for additional rotation.
The Adidas Cross It 3.4 weighs 360–375g, with a diamond shape and high balance (~270mm). Profile 38mm. Face: Carbon Aluminized 15K. Core: EVA High Memory. Frame: Carbon.
Cross It vs. Metalbone, the core difference:
| Feature | Cross It 3.4 | Metalbone 3.3 |
|---|---|---|
| Core | EVA High Memory | EVA Soft Performance |
| Comfort | 6/10 | 7/10 |
| Sweet spot | 7/10 | 8/10 |
| Power | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| Target player | Pure power expert | Power with a large sweet spot |
EVA High Memory is harder and stiffer than EVA Soft Performance: more power per shot, less cushioning comfort. The Cross It is the version for players who prioritise maximum explosiveness over comfort.
Technologies:
- Carbon Aluminized 15K, 15.000-fibre carbon with an aluminium oxide coating for maximum stiffness
- Spin Blade Mold, a 3D-relief surface structure for increased spin potential
- Dynamic Air Flow, an optimised air-resistance profile for higher swing speed
- Smart Holes Curve, a curved hole pattern (Eleven 13) for better aerodynamics
- Extra Power Grip, an anti-slip grip for a firmer hold on powerful shots
Power 9 is the highest attacking score. The stiffness of EVA High Memory combined with the 15K carbon face creates a direct, hard response. There is little softening during ball-racket contact: everything goes into the ball.
EVA High Memory differs from EVA Soft Performance: the material has more "memory" (returns more slowly), giving overheads a compression feel that powerful players experience as responsive. For players used to soft cores, it can feel hard.
Forgiveness is rated 6/10. Off-centre contact is noticeably penalised: the high balance and stiff core offer little correction. This racket rewards consistent overhead technique and penalises inconsistency.
Manoeuvrability is rated 6/10. The 360–375g weight plus high balance slows the racket in quick exchanges. This is an attacking racket, not a defensive tool.
The Metalbone line has an EVA Soft Performance core (softer, larger sweet spot) and a Weight & Balance System for adjustability. The Cross It 3.4 has EVA High Memory (stiffer, more power) without the Weight & Balance System. Choose Metalbone for more forgiveness and adjustability; choose Cross It for maximum stiffness.
The Cross It 3.4 has Carbon Aluminized 15K (a genuine carbon face) and EVA High Memory: the hardest material combination in the Adidas line. The Arrow Hit Attack has an Advanced Composite face and the IBS adjustable balance system. The Arrow Hit Attack scores slightly higher (7.1 vs 6.6), with better forgiveness (7 vs 6) and maneuverability (7 vs 6). Choose Cross It if you want carbon-face response and do not need the adjustment system. Choose Arrow Hit Attack if you want more versatility and adjustability at a similar price.
Advantages
Carbon Aluminized 15K face: the only non-Metalbone Adidas with a genuine carbon face, providing a crisper response than Advanced Composite (Arrow Hit Attack) at high swing speeds
EVA High Memory core + carbon face: the hardest material combination in the Adidas line for maximum power transfer
Spin Blade Mold 3D-relief surface for increased spin potential on overheads
€280: carbon-face quality below the Metalbone 3.5 flagship price (€300)
Considerations
Maneuverability 6 and forgiveness 6: lower than Arrow Hit Attack (7/7) at almost the same price. A deliberate trade-off for carbon response
No IBS adjustable balance system, no adjustment within the frame
Comfort 6 and an EVA High Memory core: greater shock loading on off-centre contact
What you will notice as a player
The smash gets plenty of easy power; you do not need a full follow-through to put the ball away.
A balanced racket that responds predictably in most situations.
Off-center contact is penalized: hitting just outside the sweet spot loses power and control.
In long matches you feel more in your arm; the core offers little cushioning, so the load builds up.
The racket offers little help in defense; returning balls off the glass takes considerable effort.
At the net you react a little more slowly: the weight sits forward, so quick adjustments take more effort.
Which shots are affected most?
| Situation | What will you notice? |
|---|---|
| Defense | Little help: you must guide balls off the glass and keep them deep yourself. |
| Volley | Requires technique: clean contact is essential and late adjustments are difficult. |
| Bandeja | Easy to control: the ball stays reasonably low and predictable. |
| Vibora | Very explosive: plenty of speed and bite, a natural shot for this racket. |
| Smash | Its strongest point: maximum power with little effort, sending the ball away like a rocket. |
| Block | The forward weight makes quick blocks more demanding than with an agile racket. |
| Off-center ball | Unforgiving: outside the sweet spot, both speed and accuracy drop noticeably. |
Well suited to
Less suited to
This racket is likely to suit you if you…
want more power and strength in your smash
like to play an attacking, explosive game
This racket may disappoint if you…
want to react quickly to hard-hit balls
want a light and agile racket
often have to play from defense
You will probably appreciate this racket if you…
- •want to finish points with power from the back of the court;
- •value an explosive smash and vibora more than comfort;
- •want a balanced racket that handles every shot;
You may run into limitations if you…
- •do not consistently hit the sweet spot yet: the small margin penalizes errors heavily;
- •are sensitive to arm or elbow discomfort;
- •defend often and want help from the face;
- •value quick hands at the net more than power;
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Indicatieve marktprijs
€280 ·